Automatic electric elevator.



Patented Dec. 5, [899;

H. no'wurnas. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ELEVATOR.

(Application filed July 18, 1898. Renawed Oct. 4, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet .L

(No Model.)

N0. 638,28l. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

H. ROWNTREE.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ELEVATOR.

(Applicgtion flied July 18, 1898. Renswed Oct. 4, 1899.) (No llbdel.) 4Sheets-Sheet 2.

Tn: Norms PEYERS cu mammnm wnumumm n. c

No. 638,28I. Patented Dec. 5, I899. H. RUWNTBEE. AUTOMATIC ELECTRICELEVATOR. (Application filed July 18, 1898. Renewed Oct, 4, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

Patented Dec. 5, I899.

H. ROWNTREE.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ELEVATOR.

Application fllgd July 18, 1898. Renewed Oct 4, 1899.)

4 Sheefis-Shaet 4' woman.)

w W M Sung THE Noam P51 UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

HAROLD RO'WNTREE, OF OHIO-AGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE BURDET"-ROi/VNTREE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ELEVATGR.

SPECIFICATIDN forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,281, dated December5, 1899. Application filed July 18,1898. Renewed October 4, 1 899.Serial No. 732,573. model.)

To aZZ 107mm it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD RowNrEEE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Automatic Electric Elevator, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic electric elevators.

The object of the invention is to provide a construction and arrangementwhich is simple and efficient for automatically controlling thehoisting-rnotor of elevators from any floor or landing in the elevatorshaft or well.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for controllingthe starting of the hoisting-motor from any particular landing andautomatically arresting the hoisting mechanism when the car reaches thatparzo ticular landing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein thespeed of travel of the car in ascending and also in descending may besuitably regulated.

Further objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter Theinvention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination,location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fullyhereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanyingdrawings, and finallyspecifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views andreference-signs 5 appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a front elevation ofthe hoistingmechanism. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, thehoisting-motor shaft being shown in transverse section. Fig. 3 is aview,partlyin side elevation and partly in vertical section and upon anenlarged scale, showing the construction and arrangement of themotorgoverning mechanism. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the automaticcontrolling mechanism by which the elevator 5 hoisting mechanism may bethrown into action from any particular floor or landing past which theelevator-car travels. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5 5,Figs. 2 and 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6 6, Figs. 2 and 3,looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a detached detail faceview, looking from the right, Figs. 2 and 3, of the contact-plate. Figs.8 and 9 are detached detail views, in front and side elevations,respectively, of the brush-carrying bar. Fig.

10 is a diagram illustrating the wiring and electrical connections ofthe apparatus.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

In the accompanying drawings referencesign A designates a suitableframework for supportingthe various parts of the apparatus.

B is the hoisting-motor, and C the hoistingmotor shaft. This shaft,through any suitable form of coupling, (indicated at D,) is coupled to ashaft E, suitably journaled in the framework. Upon shaft E is mounted aworm-gear, (indicated in dotted lines at F, Fig. 2,) and which isarranged to interlnesh with and to drive a worm-gear G, (also indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 2,) and which is mounted upon shaft I'I,uponwhich is mounted thehoistingdrumJ forthecar-hoistingcable. In suitablearms or brackets K L, mounted on framework A, is journaled a shaft M, towhich rotation is imparted from shaft H in any suitable mannerand byanysuitable form of gearing through which a proper speed reduction issecured. In the form shown, to which the invention is not limited, Ishow a train of intermeshing gears N, Fig. 2, so relatively proportionedas to size and arrangement as in practice to impart to shaft M somethingless than one half a complete revolution during the rotations of shaftII, necessary to move the elevator-car from one of its extreme limits oftravel to the other. The invention, however, is not limited in thisrespect, as any other suitable or desirable relative speeds may beimparted to shaft-s II and M. Suitably mounted on and pinned, as at 12,to rock with shaft M is a bar 13, in the outeror free end ofwhichispivotally mounted 5 at the angle thereof a peculiarly-shapedangular bar or lever 14-, the pivot being indicated at 15. Thisangle-lever let is preferably in the form of a double crank, as clearlyshown in Fig. 3, and on one of the free ends thereof carries anantifriction-roller 10, arranged to travel over the peripheral surfaceof a plate 17, suitably bolted or otherwise secured to the standard orbracket K or other convenient part of the framework. This plate'17 isprovided in the peripheral surface thereof with depressions orseats 18,corresponding in number to the number of floors or landings at which theelevator is designed to stop and into which, as will hereinafter moreclearly appear, the roller16 is adapted to be received at the propertime. In order that said roller may easily ride into and out of theseats or depressions 18, the walls of such seats or (lepressions aresuitablycurved, as most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Also carried bythe same arm of crank-lever 1a is a pin 19, (see Fig. 5,) arranged totravel over the peripheral edge or surface of a disk or plate 20,mounted upon shaft M, but capable of slight rotative movement thereon,as will presently more clearly appear. The peripheral edge of plate 20is provided with notches or recesses 21, corresponding in number andarrangement to the depressions or seats 18 in plate 17, and into whichat the proper time the pin 19 is adapted to be received. The walls ofnotches or recesses 21 are squared, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, in orderthat when the parts are brought into suitable relation for pin 19 to bereceived in one or the otherof said notches or recesses 21 such pin willenter the notch or recess quickly and with a snapping action.

From the foregoing description it will also be seen that the roller 10will not be permitted to drop into its depression or recess 18 until pin19 is brought into register with a pcripheral notch 21in the edge ofdisk 20; but when such register is secured both the roller 16 and thepin 19 will snap quickly into their respective notches or seats. Theangle-lever 14, which for want of a better term 1 shall hereinafterdesignate the kicker, is acted upon by springs 22, fixed at one end tobar 13 and at the other end connected to said kicker, the tension ofsaid springs being exerted in a direction to constantly maintain pin 1.)and roller 10 in engagement with the peripheries, respectively, ofplates 17 and 20, and through these springs the qiiicl -snapping actionof pin 15) and roller 16 into their respective notches or recesses issecured when the parts are brought into their proper relativearrangement therefor.

I have above stated that disk or plate 20 is mounted on shaft 11 forslightrotative movement thereon. Said plate is guided during suchrotative movement by means of a pin 23, fixed in the bracket K or otherconvenient part of the framework and projecting through an elongatedslot 2% (see Fig. 5) in said plate or disk. It is important to providemeans whereby the disk 20 is normally held in centered position. I haveshown an efficient arrangement for accomplishing the centering of thisplate or disk and for returning the same to its centered position whensaid disk or plate is rotatively depressed in either direction. Thiscentering arrangement is shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 5, whereinarms 26 are pivotally mounted on plate or disk 20 and on opposite sidesof pin 23 and in close proximity to such pin. A stout spring 27 isconnected at one end to the free end of arm 25 at a point such as tobring pin 23 between the same and the point of pivotal connection ofsaid arm 25. This spring is connected at its other end to a suitable lugor otherwise to said disk or plate 20 at a point on the opposite side ofpin 23 from said arm 25. In a similar manner a spring 28 is connectedatone end to the free end of arm 26 and at its opposite end to the diskor plate 20 at a point on the opposite side of pin 23 from said arm 26.From this construction it will be seen that the tension of said springsis constantly exerted to swing said arms 25 26 into contact with thesides of pin 23. Therefore when said disk or plate 20 is rotativelymoved such rotative movement is yieldingly opposed by the tension of oneor the other of said springs 27 28, which tension tends to return saidplate or disk to centered position. In order that when a rotativemovement is imparted to said disk or plate 20 in a direction to distendone of said springs the other of said springs may not contract or followup the distended spring, I have provided a pin 29 in the face of saidplate or disk and which is arranged to project between the ends of arms25 26, thereby preventing one of said springs from contracting duringthe distention of the other, and hence rendering more reliable theaction of the centering arrange ment to always return said plate or diskto its centered position when rotatively displaced from such normal orcentered position.

Loosely mounted on shaft M, adjacent to the bar 13, is a disk 30, uponwhich are mounted in concentric circles the contact-rings 31 32. Thesecontact rings are preferably semicircnlarly divided, as clearly shown inFig. 7, and these sections are insulated from each other and arecross-connected electrically that is to say, the inner contact-ring 32on one side or half of disk is electrically coupled to the outercontact-ring on the other half of said disk, the cross connections beingshown in dotted lines at 33, Fig. 7. The brushes 3t (see Fig. 3) arearranged to respectively make electrical contact with the inner andouter segments or sections 31 32. These brushes are mounted upon or:arried by a bar 36, pivotally mounted at one end thereof, as at 37,upon an arm or bar 38, loosely sleeved upon shaft M, as clearly shown inFigs. 3 and (J. The axis or pivot 37, about which brushcarrying arm 3swings, is arranged parallel with the face of contact-carrying disk 30.Therefore when brush-carrying arm 86 is rocked about its pivot or axissuch rocking movement is in a direction to carry brushes 34c 35 towardor away from the con tact rings or segments 31 32 to make or break thecircuit of the hoisting-motor, as will pressently more fully appear.

A pin 39 is mounted in bar 38 and projects loosely throughbrush-carrying arm 36, as at 40, Fig. 9. A spring 41 is mounted on saidpin and interposed between bar 38 and brush-arm 36, the action of saidspring being to yieldingly press brush-carrying arm 36 in a directionfor the brushes 34 35 to be pressed against and into contact withcontact rings or segments 31 32, but permitting such arm 36 to be rockedor swung about its pivot and in a direction such as to, break electricalcontact between said brushes and rings. In order to steady and guidebrush-carryin g arm 36 during the swinging movements thereof about itspivot 37, bar 38 is provided with a projecting end 42, (see Figs. 3 and6,) arranged to project into anotch or recess 43, formed inbrush-carrying arm 36. (See Fig. 9.)

As above stated, contact-carrying disk 30 is mounted loosely on shaft M.Said disk is provided with an elongated slot 44, through which passes apin 45, projecting from bar 13, which, as above stated, is mounted on torotate With shaft M. This pin 45 serves as a guide for disk 30 andcauses the rotation of said disk coincident with the rotation of shaftM, with a desirable range of lost motion within the limits of the extentof slot 44.

The brush-carryin g arm 36 is provided with a flange 46, and one of thecrank ends 47 of kicker 14 is arranged to project through a slot oropening 48 in disk 30 and into position to engage at. the proper momentflange 46 in a direction to rock or swing brush-arm 36 about its pivot37 against the action of spring 41, and therefore in a direction tocause brushes 34 35 to leave contact-segments 31 32. This engagementbetween the end 47 of kicker 14 and flange 46 of brush-carrying arm 36is not effected, however, until the parts are brought into such relativeposition that roller 16 and pin 19 on the other crank end or arm ofkicker 14 are snapped into the notches or recesses 18 21 of disks 17 butthe snapping of said roller and pin into said notches or recesses causesa quick projection of arm 47 endwise against flange 46, thus quicklyeffecting a breaking of contact between brushes 34 35 and contact-rings31 32. "When kicker 14 is returned to its normal position, therebywithdrawing its arm 47 from its projected position, spring 41 willoperate to restore brusharm 36 to its normal position with brushes 34 35contacting with contact-rings 31 32. It is important that flange 46 ofbrush-arm be brought squarely and directly in line with the end ofkicker-arm 47, so as to be efficiently and accurately engaged therebywhen said kicker-arm is projected. To attain this result, I provide inthe face of disk a pin 49, arranged to project into the rotary path offlange 46 When arm 36 is carried around the axis of the sleeve of bar 38by the rotation or rocking movement of said bar 38. These parts are sorelatively arranged that when the face of flange 46 engages the side ofpin 49 the end of kicker-arm 47 will be directly in alinement with thecenter of the flange 46, and hence in position to efficiently engagesuch flange and rock the brusl1arm in a direction to break circuitbetween brushes 34 and rings 31 32. Pin 49 also serves another purpose.It prevents reversal of the motor when it is once set in operation untilafter it has completed its work of carrying the car to apredeterminedpoint and brought the car to rest. The reason for this is that so longas the parts are in position to make contact between brushes 34 andrings 31 32 said pin 49 operates as a back-stop to prevent reverserotation of arm 36 about shaft M, thus also looking bar 38 againstreverse rotation on said shaft, but permitting said bar 38 to rotate inthe forward direction. The pin 49 is of such length, however, that whenkicker-arm 47 has been projected in a direction to rotate brush-arm 36away from the position thereof in which brushes 34 35 contact with rings31 the flange 46 of said brush-arm 36 will clear pin 49, andhence permitarm 36, and hence also bar 38, to rock or swing in a reverse directionor freely in either direction around shaft M. This, however, is notpermitted until kicker 14 has operated to break the motor-circuits, andas this kicker is not adapted to operate except and until the carreaches its predetermined destination it will be seen that pin 49operates as a stop or look to prevent undesirable actions of the motoror reversals thereof after once being set in operation until it hascompleted the task of moving the car to the point predetermined at thetime it was set in operation but when such destination is reached andthe kicker 14 operates reversal of the motor can thereafter be effected.

Suitably connected to bar 38, but preferably at right angles withreference thereto, is an operating or controlling bar 50. This bar isalso sleeved to rock loosely upon shaft M and is connected to rock withbar 38. To one end of lever 50 is connected a rod 51,(see Fig. 4,) bywhich said lever may be rocked. Suitable steps or lugs 52 011 said leverare provided and arranged to engage the bracket L to limit the movementthereof. Through the rocking of lever 50, and with it bar 38, wherebysaid parts rock or swing about the axis of shaft M, the control of thehoisting mechanism is effected.

The operation of the apparatus so far described is as follows: Supposethe car to be at its bottom limit of travel and the mechanism in itsnormal position of rest and it is desired that the car ascend to thefirst floor, for instance. Lever 50 is rotated to the desired point, aswill presently be more fully explained, thereby rocking bar 38 and withit swinging brush-carrying arm 36 axiallyabout shaft M to a positiondetermined by the position to which lever 50 is rocked, and thisposition is determined according to the particular floor to which it isdesired to send the elevator-car. If in this position of rest, in whichwe have assumed the parts to be at the be ginning of the operation, thekicker 14: has been actuated to project endwise the arm 47 thereof, itwill be understood from the foregoing description that brush-carryingarm 86 will have been rocked or swung about its pivot 37, so as to breakcontact between brushes 34c 35 and rings 31 32, and hence said bar 36will be held in a position permitting it to swing or rock freely pastthe fixed pin 49. As soon as said brush-arm 36 has cleared the end ofarm 19 spring i1 will come into play and will rock arm 36 in a directionto cause brushes 3st 35 to again make contact with rings 3132, therebycompleting the motorcircuit and starting up the motor. By the rotationof shaft M through gearing N, as above described, and by reason of thecurved or semicircular walls of recesses 18 in plate or disk 17 roller16, which is carried by kicker l t and which in turn is mounted upon andis carried by bar 13, will be dragged out of the recess or seat 18, inwhich it rested at the beginning of the operation. Thus kicker it willbe gradually rocked about its pivot 15 and in a direction to withdrawthe arm e9 thereof from its previously-projected position. The slowrocking of kicker 1% by reason of the drag of roller 16 out of itsrecess 18 necessitates the mounting of disk 20 for slight rotativemovement, which is secured through pin 23 projecting through slot 21-,for the reason that pin 19, carried by kicker 14, is seated, under theconditions obtaining at the beginning of the operation, in thesquare-Walled notches or recesses 21, and therefore cannot be draggedout of such notches or recesses in the manner in which roller 16 isdragged out of its notch or recess; but by providing the relativerocking or rotation of disk 20 it will be seen that the completewithdrawal of roller 16 from its initial seat or depression 18 will alsofinally effect the withdrawal of pin 19 from its square notch or recess21; but when said pin 19 is withdrawn from its notch or recess 21 thesprings 27 28 operate to always return or cen ter said disk 20. Thekicker is thus again held in position to automatically effect a breakingof the motor-circuits. It will be remembered, however, that brush-arm 36has been rotated to a point corresponding to the particular floor atwhich it is desired to stop the elevator-oar. This position alsocorresponds to the position of a cooperating pair of notches or recesses18 2].. if the position at which the car is to be stopped is the firstfloor from the point where the car started, it will be seen that whenroller 16 and pin 19 come in register with the notches or recesses 18 21corresponding to such iioor the kicker 14L will be snapped, as beforeexplained, thereby projecting the end of the arm 17 thereof intoengagement with brush-arm 36, thereby automatically breaking themotor-circuits Before this point is reached, however, flange insuringthat the edge of flange 46 is presented in true alinement with the endof arm 47. If, however, it be desired to send the car in the firstinstance to the second or third floor instead of the first, it will beseen from the foregoing description that when the kicker 1a is actuatedat the first floor it will not find brush-arm 36 in line with the end ofthe arm 17 thereof, because such arm 36 has been swung to a positioncorresponding with some other floor or landii'ig; Therefore the actionof the kicker at the first floor will be without result and the motorwill continue to operate, thus causing, in the same manner as abovedescribed, the kicker 1% to be restored to its initial or kineticposition by the roller 16 thereof being dragged out of the seat ordepression 18, into which it dropped when the car reached the firstfloor, and so at the second landing, if it has not been previouslydetermined to arrest the carat such landing, the kicker will againautomatically operate, but without result, and the motor will continueto operate until finally the car reaches the floor which has beenpreviously determined upon as its stopping-place, and when such floor isreached by the car the kicker will automatically operate and this timewill find brush-arm 36 and will automatically effect an arresting of thehoisting mechanism, leaving the parts in position to be actuated toreturn the car to its original vposition or to continue to some floor orlanding above.

Many suitable arrangements may be provided whereby lever 50 maybeactuated from any floor orlanding. \Vhile, therefore, I have shown andwill now describe a specific construction whereby the proper actuationof said lever may be effected from any particular floor, I desire it tobe understood that the invention is not limited or restricted thereto.

In the particular form shown lever 50 is connected through a rod 51 witha crank-arm 52, mounted upon and to revolve with a shaft Upon this shaftis mounted a sprocketgear 5 1, around which and a similar sprocketgearis arranged to pass in an open bight a sprocket-chain 56. Thesprocket-gears 54 55 are respectively arranged at the top and bottom ofthe elevator shaft or well, and therefore sprocket-chain 56 extends inan open bight throughout the length of the elevator shaft or well. Ifdesired and in order to maintain suitable tension on sprocket-chain 56,the sheave 55 at the bottom of the shaft or well may be suitablyweighted, as at 57.

At each floor is arranged a sprocket-gear 58, arranged to mesh with oneleg or run of sprocket-chain 56, and mounted on the shaft of each ofsaid gears 58 to revolve therewith is a pointer 59, arranged to operatein connection with a dial-plate 60, each having notches, numerals, orother indices corresponding to the number of landings at which the caris intended to stop. The operation of this feature of the invention isas follows: If it is desired 4:6 has come in contact with pin 49,thereby to start the car-hoisting mechanism and to arrest the carat anyparticular floor, a person at that floor will operate the pointer 59, soas to bring the same into line with the proper nu mher or mark on thedial corresponding to that floor. This will effect an actuation ofsprocketchain 56 and a corresponding actuation of the pointers of allthe dials throughout the system, so that the position of the car may beindicated at each landing of the elevator-shaft. The actuation ofsprocket-chain 56 effects a rotation of sprocket-wheel 5t and shaft 53,thereby rocking crank-arm 52, and hence effecting a swinging of lever 50to a position corresponding to the particular floor at which it isdesired to arrest the car.

Any suitable braking appliance may be employed in connection with thehoisting-motor. In practice, however, I prefer to employ a strap-brakeof ordinary type, which may be applied to the coupling-disk D, asindicated in Fig. 1, and preferablyl employ a solenoid P for actuatingsaid strap-brake, and in practice I include the coils of said solenoiddirectly in the motor-circuit, so that whenever a motor-circuit isbroken the brake will always be applied and, on the other hand,wheneverthe motor-circuit is closed the brake is released.

Many specifically different forms and constructions of brake-magnet andbrake would readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art,and therefore as such construction does not in the specific details andarrangements thereof form or constitute the present invention I have notdeemed it necessary to specifically illustrate or describe the sameherein.

I will now describe the arrangement of the electrical wiring of themotor, particular reference being had to Fig. 10.

The main supply-conductor 61 leads from any suitable connection orwall-switch 62, for instance, to binding post 63 and thence throughconductor 64: to brush 34c. The conducting-segment 31 on the right-handside of the contact disk or plate 30 and which is crossconnectedelectrically With the inner contactsegment 32 on the left-hand side ofsuch disk or plate is connected by conductor 65 with a binding-post 66and from thence through conductor 67 with one brush of themotor-armature. Thence circuitiscontinuedthroughthe armature-windings,the other brush of the armature, and by way of conductor 68 tobinding-post 69. This binding-post is connected through conductor 70 tothe outer contactsegment 31 on the left-hand side of the contact-disk,which segment is cross'connected to the inner segment 32 on theright-hand side of said disk. Brush 35 is connected through conductor 71with binding-post 72 and thence through conductor 73 with one terminalof the motor-field coils. Thence circuit is completed through such coilsand through conductor 74 to binding-post 75, which is connected throughconductor 76 with one terminal of the windings of the brake-magnet orsolenoid. The other terminal of the windings of said magnet or solenoidis connected through conductor 77 with binding-post 78, which isconnected through conductor 79 to the return-wire. The field resistanceis included in the circuit with the connection 80, leading frombinding-post 69, and conductor 81, leading to binding-post 72. Anarmature resistance is connected through conductor 82 to binding-post 83and through conductor Setwith binding-post 75. Binding-post 83 isconnected through conductor 85 to a brush 86, arranged in contact with aconductingsegment 87 on the contact disk or plate 30, as clearly shownin Figs. 3 and 10. This auxiliary contact-strip 87is arranged only onone side of contact-disk 30, as shown, and is in electrical connectionwith the contact-strip 31 on the same side of said disk 30 therewith andthe function of which will presently be more fully explained.

In the foregoing description I have traced the various electriccircuits, and from this description it will be seen that the main orpositive supply-conductor 61 is directly connected to brush 3% and thatthe return-conductor 79 is directly connected to one end of the coils ofthe solenoid or magnet. From this it will be seen that when themotor-circuit is completed the solenoid or brake-magnet will always beenergized and the brakeliberated,and when the motorcircuit is broken thebrake will be set.

I will now explain the electrical operation. hen a pointer 59 is movedto any particular point or landing at which it is desired to arrest thecar, circuit is established through the operation above described of themotor-controlling apparatus as follows: through supply-conductor 61 tobinding-p0st 63, conductor 64, brush 3%, contact-segment 31, conductor65, binding-post 66, conductor 67, through the coils of themotor-armature, conductor 6S,binding-post 69, conductor 70, segment 31on the opposite side of the contact-disk 30, and which is connectedelectrically to the innercontact-segment on the right-hand side of thecontact-disk; but since auxiliary contact-segment 87 on the left-handside of the contact-disk, as seen in Figs. 7 and 10, is in electricalconnection with contact-segment 31 on the same side of the contact-diskit will be seen that current at this point and arriving throughconductor 70 will divide into two branches, one of whichincludes brush35, conductor 71, binding-post 72, conductor 73, the coils of themotor-field windings, conductor 74:, binding-post 75, conductor 76, thewindings of the brake-magnet or solenoid, conductor 77, and binding-post78 to return-Wire 79. The other path or branch includes the extra orauxiliary brush 86, which is in contact with segment 87 only when thecar is traveling upwardly, thence through conductor 85, binding-post 83,conductor 82, the armature re sistance, conductor 81, binding-post 75,conductor 76, and on to return-wire 79, through the same path as thatabove described with reference to the first-mentioned branch. From thisdescription it will be seen that when the car is going up not only doesall the current which flows through the motor-field windings also iiowthrough the armature-windings of the motor, but, in addition thereto,the current which passes through the armature resistance also passesthrough the armature, thereby augmenting the power of the motor. if thearmature resistance should be so great that no current will flowtherethrough through the shunt or branch circuit above described, thenthe current passing through the motorarmature windings would be the sameas that which passed through the field-windings of the motor, and hencethe motor would have nearly its ordinary strength. It will also be seenthat the less resistance in the auxiliary circuit, which includesconductors 82 and St, the greater would be the difference between thecurrents flowing through the motor-field windings and the motor-armaturewindingsthat is tosay, the greater would be the amount of currentflowing through the armature-windings relative to that which flowsthrough the field-wint'lirms, and hence the greater would be the powerdeveloped by the motor. By this arrangement, whereby all the currentwhich passes through the field of the motor also passes through thearmature of the motor, it will be seen thatI am enabled to quicklydisrupt the motor-oircuitsas, for instance, by the snapping action ofkicker ltfor the reason that only a fixed amount of current can flowthrough the armature resistance, and therefore any undue rush or flow ofcurrent through the armature will also flow through the field.

It will be remembered, of course, that in the foregoing description ofthe electrical operation we have assumed that the car is travelingupwardly. Now when a pointer 59 is moved for the purpose and in adirection to cause the car to descend the circuit is completed asfollows: from the main supply-conductor 61 to brush 8%, as before, whichis now while the car is descending in contact with segment 31 on theleft-hand side of contact disk 30, thence through conductor tobindingpost 69, where the circuit divides, part flowing throughconductor 68, the brush of the motor-armature on the opposite side tothat above described, thence through the motor-armature windings, theother motorarmature brush, conductor 67, binding-post 66, conductor (35to contact-segment 31 on the right-hand side of disk 80, to the segment32 through connection 33, to brush 35,which, under the conditions nowbeing described, has been shifted to the left from the position shown inFig. 10, thence through conductor 71, binding-post 72, conductor 73, thewindings of the motordield magnets in the same direction as beforedescribed when the car was ascending, thence through conductor 7-t,binding-post 75, conductor 76, and on through the coils of thebrake-magnet or solenoid to return-conductor The other branch of thecircuitleads from binding-post (it) through conductor St), themotor-field resistance, conductor 81 to binding-post 72, thence onthrough conductor 73, the motor-field windings, and conductors 7t and76, as above described. Thus it will be seen that when the car is goingdown all the current that passes through the motor-armature windingsalso passes through the motor-field coils, and, in addition to this,that portion of the current which passes through the motor-fieldresistance also passes through the motor-field, thereby increasing theamount of current flowing through the field relative to the currentwhich is flowing through the motor-armature. The effect of this is toretard the speed of the motor by creating a large or strong field withsmall current in the armatu re. In other words, the motor will act onthe order of an electric brake. Of course if the field resistance issufficiently great to prevent current flowing therethrough then the sameamount of current that passes through the field would also pass throughthe armature, and hence the motor would run at its ordinary speed, or ata much higher rate of speed in case the elevator-car is heavily loadedand is descending, by reason of gravity acting upon the load on the car.It will also be seen that the smaller the amount of resistance in thefield-circuit the smaller will be the current which flows through thearmature in proportion to that which passes through the motor-field,because the field-resistance circuit,which is in shunt around thearmature, will offer less resistance to current flowing therethrough,and hence by the foregoing arrangement it will be seen that I am enabledto suddenly make or break the motor-circuit while the car is descendingwithout injurious results, because any rush of current in starting themotor is taken care of by the fieldwiring.

It is believed that from the foregoing description persons skilled inthe art will readily understand and comprehend the construction,function, and mode of operation of the apparatus.

Having now set forth the object and nature of myinvention and a form ofapparatus embodying the same and having described aconstruction,function, and mode of operation of such apparatus, I desireit to be understood that the invention is not limited or restricted tothe exact details shown and described, as many changes therein andvariations therefrom would readily suggest themselves to per sonsskilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of myinvention; but

\Vhat I do claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In an automatic elevator, a hoisting-motor, a controlling mechanismtherefor, a dial marked for the different landings, a mannally-actuatedpointer for said dial, and mechanical connections between said pointerand controlling mechanism whereby when the pointer is moved to anyparticular mark on the dial the motor will be started and automaticallyarrested when the car reaches the particular floor corresponding to themark on the dial, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an automatic elevator, a hoisting-motor, a controlling mechanismtherefor, said controlling mechanism including a switch, a dial, apointer therefor and connections between said pointer and controllingmechanism whereby when said pointer is moved said motor is started andsaid switch is set to position corresponding to the position of thepointer, thereby automatically arresting the motor when the car reachesthe particular floor corresponding to the position of the pointer on thedial, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an automatic elevator, a hoisting-motor, a switch therefor, meansfor operating said switch to arrest the motor when the car reaches eachlanding, and means controllable from any floor or landing for settingsaid switch in cooperative relation with respect to said operating meanswhereby said switch will be automatically operated to arrest said motoronly when the car reaches a particularpredetermined landing, as and forthe purpose set forth.

4. In an automatic elevator, at hoisting-motor, a controller therefor,and mechanical connections arranged to be actuated from any landing foroperating said controlling mechanism, whereby said motor may be startedautomatically from any landing and arrested when the car reaches thatlanding, said connections including means for indicating the location ofthe car, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an automatic elevator, a hoisting-motor, a controlling-switchtherefor, and manually-operated means arranged at each landing at whichthe car stops for setting said switch and starting the motor, wherebythe motor will be arrested when the car reaches the particular floor forwhich the switch was set, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an automatic elevator, a hoisting-motor, a controlling-switchtherefor, a dial arranged at each landing at which the car stops andmarked for the different landings, a pointer for each dial,and commonconnections between all of said pointers and said switch, whereby whenthe pointer at any particular floor is moved to the mark on the dialcorresponding to any floor the motor will be started and arrestedautomatically when the car reaches that particular floor, as and for thepurpose set forth.

7. In an automatic elevator, a hoisting-motor, a controlling-switchtherefor, a dial arranged at each landing at which the car stops, apointer for each dial, and means actuated by the movements of thepointer at any particular floor for actuating said switch to completethe m otor-circuit forstarting said motor, said means also operating toset said switch to position corresponding to the floor indicated by saidpointer, whereby the motor will be antomatically arrested when the carreaches that particular landing, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an automatic elevator, the combination with a hoistiugmotor, acontrollingswitch therefor, a dial, a man[tally-operated pointerassociated with said dial, and connections between said pointer andswitch, and actuated by the movement of said pointer for starting saidmotor and arresting the same automatically at a predetermined point, asand for the purpose set forth.

9. In an automatic elevator, the combination with an electrichoisting-motor, circuits therefor, a switch for controlling saidcircuits, a dial arranged at each floor, a pointer for each dial,connections between each pointer and said switch for setting the latter,and means for automatically operating said switch to break themotor-circuit when the car reaches the particular floor indicated by thepointer, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In an automatic elevator, an electric hoisting-motor, a dialarranged at each floor or landing, a manually-actuated pointercooperating therewith, a switch for controlling the circuits of saidmotor, and means controlled by the movements of said pointer forautomatically opening said switch as soon as the car has arrived at thelanding corresponding to the position of the pointer on the dial, as andfor the purpose set forth.

11. In an automatic elevator, the combination with an electrichoisting-motor, circuits therefor, a controlling-switch for said motor,a dial arranged at each landing, a pointer for each dial, connectionsbetween each pointer and said controlling-switch for setting the latterat any predetermined point, whereby the motor-circuits are brokenautomatically when the car arrives at the landing corresponding to theposition of the pointer on the dial, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In an automatic elevator, a hoistinginotor, means controllable fromeach landing for setting said motor in operation, said eontrollablemeans being connected to operate in unison, whereby the location of thecar is indicated at each landing, a lever arranged to be rocked when thecar reaches each landing, and means whereby said lever automaticallyarrests the motor only when the car reaches a particular predeterminedlanding, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a switch therefor, alever, means for rocking said lever only when the car reaches eachlanding, a dial, a pointer located at each landing for setting saidswitch in cooperative relation with respect to said lever, said severalpointers being connected to operate in unison, whereby when the carreaches a predetermined landing said lever will actuate said switch toarrest said motor, and the position of the car willbe indicated on eachdial, as and for the purpose setforth.

1st. In an automatic elevator, at hoistingmotor, a controlling-switchtherefor, a pivotally-mounted lever, a disk having notches or recessescorresponding to the several landings at which the car' stops and intowhich the end of said lever is received, whereby when the car reacheseach landing said lever is rocked, and means controllable from eachlanding for setting said switch in the path of said lever to be actuatedthereby when the end of said lever drops into any one of the notches tobreak the motor-circuits only when the car reaches a predeterminedlanding, as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In an automatic elevator, at hoistingmotor, a disk provided with aplurality of seats or depressions corresponding in their relativepositions to the different landings of the elevator-shaft, a leverarranged to be drawn into or out of said seats or depressions, amotor-switch, arranged to control the hoisting-motor, and meanscontrollable from each landing for setting said switch, whereby saidlever will automatically open said switch only when the ca: reaches apredetermined landing, as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In an automatic elevator, the combination of a hoisting-motor,circuits therefor, a dial arranged at each landing of the elevatorshaft,a pointer cooperating with each dial, a switch for said motor,connections common to all of said pointers and extending to said switchto set the latter, a pivotallymounted lever arranged to be rocked whenthe car reaches each landing, and means whereby the rocking of saidlever will automatically open said switch only when the car reaches thelanding corresponding to the position of the pointer, as and for thepurpose set forth.

17. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a dial arranged at eachfloor, a pointer cooperating with each dial, a controller for saidmotor, connections between each pointer and said controller, apivotally-mounted lever, a disk provided with a series of seats ordepressions corresponding in their relative positions to the differentlandings of the elevator-shaft, said lever arranged to be drawn intosaid seats or depressions when the car reaches each landing, and meanswhereby said lever automatically actuates said con troller to arrestsaid motor when the car reaches the particular landing corresponding tothe position of the pointers, as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a counter-shaft driventhereby, an arm mounted on to revolve with said countershaft, a leverpivotally mounted on said arm, means for rocking said lever when the carreaches the landing, a switch for said motor, and means controllablefrom each landing for setting said switch in the path of said lever,whereby said switch is automatically actuated when the car reaches apredetermined landing, thereby arresting the action of said motor, asand for the purpose set forth.

19. In an automatic elevator, at hoistingmotor, acounter-shatt driventhereby, an arm mounted on to revolve with said countershaft, a leverpivotally mounted on said arm, a fixed disk, springs for yieldinglymaintaining said lever in peripheral contact with said disk, seats ordepressions formed in said disk and corresponding to the various lloorsat which the car stops, a controller for said motor, means arranged ateach floor or landing for setting said controller in the path of actionof said lever and corresponding to each floor, whereby when the carreaches any predetermined landing said controller will be actuated andthe motor arrested, as and for the purpose set forth.

20. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a counter-shat t driventhereby, an arm mounted on said counter-shaft, a lever pivotally mountedon said arm, a fixed disk, means for yieldingly maintaining peripheralcontact between said lever and disk, said disk provided with seats ordepressions having inclined walls corresponding in relative arrangementto the several landings at which the car stops, a second disk havingsquared sockets or notches, a pin carried by said lever adapted to bereceived in said notches or sockets, said notches or socketscorresponding in relative arrangement to the seats or depressions insaid first-mentioned disk, a controller for said motor, means actuatedfrom each landing for setting said controller in the path of action ofsaid lever, as and for the purpose set forth.

21. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, aswiteh therefor, meansactuated from each landing for setting said switch, in combination witha counter-shaft driven from said motor, an arm mounted thereon, a leverpivotally mounted on said arm, a fixed disk having peripheral seats ordepressions, springs for yieldingly maintaining said lever in contactwith the periphery of said disk, the seats or depressions in said diskhaving inclined walls, a second disk movably centered on saidcounter-shaft and provided with squared notches or recesses in theperiphery thereof, a pin carried by said lever and having peripheralcontact with said movable disk, and means for yieldingly maintainingsaid movable disk in centered position, as and for the purpose setforth.

22. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a lever, means forrocking said lever when the car reaches each landing, a switcharm forcontrolling the circuits of said motor, means controllable from eachlanding for moving said arm into the path of movement of said lever,whereby when the car reaches a predetermined floor said arm will beactu- ICC ated to arrest said motor, and means for looking said armagainst reverse movement while the motor is in operation, as and for thepur pose set forth.

23. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, circuits therefor, a diskcarrying c011- tacts arranged in said circuits, a bar mounted to rotate,a brush-arm pivotally mounted on said bar and normally held in positionfor the brushes thereon to contact with the contacts on said disk, meanscontrollable from each floor or landing for rocking said bar, and meansfor automatically rocking said brusharm to break the circuits of themotor when the car arrives at any predetermined landing, as and for thepurpose set forth.

2%. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, circuits therefor, a diskcarrying contact-segments included in said motor-circuits, a rotatablebar arranged to be set in positions corresponding to each landing atwhich the car stops, means controllable from such landings for rockingsaid bar, an arm pivotally mount-ed on said bar and carrying brushes,means normally acting to yieldinglymaintain said brushes in contact withsaid contact-segments, and means for automatically rocking said arm tobreak said circuits when the car arrives at the position correspondingto the position to which said bar is rocked, as and for the purpose setforth.

25. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, circuits therefor, acontact-disk, a rotatable bar adapted to be set to various positionscorresponding to the various landings at which the carstops, a brush-armpivotally mounted on said bar, a flange formed on said arm, a stop onsaid disk for engaging said flange, and a rocking lever automaticallyactuated for engaging said brush-carrying arm and moving the same tobreak the motor-circuits, as and for the purpose set forth.

26. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a counter-shaft driventherefrom, a contact-carrying disk mounted on said counter-shaft andadapted to rotate therewith, said disk provided with a pin orprojection, an arm loosely sleeved on said counter-shaft to rotatethereon, said arm adapted to be rotated to varying positions accordingto the various landings at which the car stops, a brush-carrying armpivotally mounted on said bar and normally held in position to completethe circuit of the motor, said arm provided with a flange arranged to beengaged by the pin or projection on said disk,and anautomaticallyactuated lever arranged to engage said arm and rock thesame to break the motor-circuits when the car reaches the particularlanding corresponding to the position of said bar, and meanscontrollable from each floor for rocking said bar, as and for thepurpose set forth.

27. In an elevator, a hoisting-motor,circuits for said motor, and meanswhereby part of the operating-current which passes through the armatureof the motor is short-circuited across the field of the motor when thecar is ascending, as and for the purpose set forth.

28. In an elevator, the combination of a hoisting-motor, electriccircuits therefor, and means whereby part of the operating-current whichpasses through the field of the motor will be short-circuited across thearmature of the motor when the car is descending, substantially asdescribed, as and for the purpose set forth.

29. In an elevator, the combination of a hoisting-motor, circuitstherefor, means controllable from each landing for governing said motor,whereby said motor may be started from each floor and will automaticallystop when the car arrives at a predetermined floor, and means wherebypart of the operating-current which passes through the armature of themotor will be short-circuited across the field of the motor when the caris ascending, as and for the purpose set forth.

30. In an automatic elevator, the combination of a hoisting-motor,circuits therefor, means controllable from each landing for starting themotor and automatically arresting the same when the car reaches aparticular landing, and means whereby part of the operating-currentwhich passes through the field of the motor will be short-circuitedacross the armature of the motor when the car is descending, as and forthe purpose set forth.

31. In an elevator, the combination with a hoisting-motor, circuitstherefor, means whereby part of the current which passes through thearmature of the motor will be short-circuited across the field of themotor when the car is ascending, and means where by part of the currentwhich passes through the field of the motor will be short-circuitedacross the armature of the motor when the car is descending, substantialy as described, as and for the purpose set forth.

In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a controller for startingsaid motor and arresting the same when the car reaches any predeterminedlanding, means for operating said controller, and means for locking saidcontroller against reverse action while the motor is in motion, as andfor the purpose set forth.

33. In an automatic elevator, a hoistingmotor, a controller therefor,means operated from each landing for actuating said controller forstarting the motor, means for antomatically operating said controller toarrest the motor when the car arrives at any predetermined landing, andmeans for lockin g said controller against reverse action when the motoris once started, whereby the motorcircuits cannot be reversed while themotor is in operation, as and for the purpose set forth.

34. In an automatic elevator, the combination with a hoisting motor, ofa controllingswitch for said motor, said switch arranged when set, tostart said motor and to automatically open when the car reaches anyparticular predetermined point, and means for automatically looking saidcontroller against reverse action While the motor is in operation, asand for thepurpose set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 5th day of March,1898, in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses.

HAROLD ROXVNTREE.

\Vitnesses:

FRANK T. BROWN, S. E. DARBY.

